The Alden Question Answered
Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2005 12:52 pm
Since there has been a constant ongoing debate over the sizing of the Alden 405 "Indy" boot (and I'm sure it will continue on after this) I decided to go straight to the source and ask Alden themselves. I just spoke with Kathleen Flynn, manager of the Alden Store in Washington, D.C. I have dealt with her in the past and recently purchased a different Alden boot form her and her shop. She is incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and gladly answers whatever questions you may have about Aldens. If she doesn't know it, she'll get back to you with the answer.
So I asked her about the sizing of the 405. Having gotten a pair of 502 black boots recently, I noticed that after getting measured for these (like I was with the 405) that she ordered me a size wider. With this in mind, I thought that perhaps each Alden model of shoe sizes a bit differently, so I inquired. I asked specifically about ordering a half size smaller in the 405 versus getting measured up properly for them. She told me that there is no hard and fast rule, but that you always run certain risks with mail order, depending on where you get them from. It's important to get your shoes from a place with a good return policy and customer service, like a dedicated Alden store (where possible).
I know, I know, you just want me to come out and say whether you should order a size down or not. Well, the answer is, no, not really. She recommends getting measured properly for the shoes by someone who knows how to measure for them, and here's why: there are several factors that go into getting you a shoe that fits properly. First of all, since the boots lace up high (as opposed to a regular shoe) a proper fit is very important. The instep needs to fit correctly as should the arch and heel. Since everyone's feet are different, the "right shoe" could mean different size shoes for folks who normally wear the "same size." The toe box is less important than the instep, heel, and arch area, unless, of course, your toes are so crammed you can't wiggle them. The toe box of the 405 is cut more full than a standard dress shoe, so if you have some extra wiggle room for your piggies, that's not normally an issue. Of course, if you're tripping over the ends of your shoes, it IS an issue.
Additionally, the width of your foot can affect the fit, hence the wide array of shoe widths available for the Aldens. Again, this is apparent with my black 502 boots, as the size wider works beautifully for me. But thie last is different on the 502's versus the 405's.
So what it comes down to is this: should you get professionally measured for your Alden 405 "Indy" boots? Yes. Are some people going to find they get sized a half step smaller? Yes. Are some (like Forrestal mentioned in a seperate thread) going to end up with a half size larger? Yes. Will some just find their normal size is the perfect fit? Yes. Yes to all the above because everyone's feet are different. So to sum up what I learned directly from Alden, here's what goes into a properly fitting pair of Indy boots:
1. Since they lace up high on the foot, a proper fit is very important.
2. The important considerations to the proper fit are the instep, heel, and arch area.
3. The toe box (toe room) is less important than the previous three factors unless your toes are jammed up against the inside toe of the boot or you're tripping over your feet.
4. Everyone's feet are different, so despite sharing the "same size" in a regular shoe, the instep, heel, and arch can be completely different.
5. For reasons 1-4, Alden recommends getting professionally fitted for their shoes, instead of just guessing.
So I asked her about the sizing of the 405. Having gotten a pair of 502 black boots recently, I noticed that after getting measured for these (like I was with the 405) that she ordered me a size wider. With this in mind, I thought that perhaps each Alden model of shoe sizes a bit differently, so I inquired. I asked specifically about ordering a half size smaller in the 405 versus getting measured up properly for them. She told me that there is no hard and fast rule, but that you always run certain risks with mail order, depending on where you get them from. It's important to get your shoes from a place with a good return policy and customer service, like a dedicated Alden store (where possible).
I know, I know, you just want me to come out and say whether you should order a size down or not. Well, the answer is, no, not really. She recommends getting measured properly for the shoes by someone who knows how to measure for them, and here's why: there are several factors that go into getting you a shoe that fits properly. First of all, since the boots lace up high (as opposed to a regular shoe) a proper fit is very important. The instep needs to fit correctly as should the arch and heel. Since everyone's feet are different, the "right shoe" could mean different size shoes for folks who normally wear the "same size." The toe box is less important than the instep, heel, and arch area, unless, of course, your toes are so crammed you can't wiggle them. The toe box of the 405 is cut more full than a standard dress shoe, so if you have some extra wiggle room for your piggies, that's not normally an issue. Of course, if you're tripping over the ends of your shoes, it IS an issue.
Additionally, the width of your foot can affect the fit, hence the wide array of shoe widths available for the Aldens. Again, this is apparent with my black 502 boots, as the size wider works beautifully for me. But thie last is different on the 502's versus the 405's.
So what it comes down to is this: should you get professionally measured for your Alden 405 "Indy" boots? Yes. Are some people going to find they get sized a half step smaller? Yes. Are some (like Forrestal mentioned in a seperate thread) going to end up with a half size larger? Yes. Will some just find their normal size is the perfect fit? Yes. Yes to all the above because everyone's feet are different. So to sum up what I learned directly from Alden, here's what goes into a properly fitting pair of Indy boots:
1. Since they lace up high on the foot, a proper fit is very important.
2. The important considerations to the proper fit are the instep, heel, and arch area.
3. The toe box (toe room) is less important than the previous three factors unless your toes are jammed up against the inside toe of the boot or you're tripping over your feet.
4. Everyone's feet are different, so despite sharing the "same size" in a regular shoe, the instep, heel, and arch can be completely different.
5. For reasons 1-4, Alden recommends getting professionally fitted for their shoes, instead of just guessing.
I hear you, my friend. I just thought it might make a slight difference if the information came from Alden directly. Ultimately, it's up to the wearer to make a wise choice...
What could possibly be next? 
You know, I don't think anyone here really wants to know what's next.
oh, you said 'don't'. Nevermind. 
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